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☆ Don't overlook these 3 tax moves that could save you thousands, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

It could also mean taking a few minutes to click around the deductions page on your tax software to make sure you're not leaving money on the table. Here are three tax moves that experts say people tend to overlook. If you didn't hit your maximum contribution for 2023, you can retroactively direct funds to those accounts for the 2023 tax year. If you have children or other dependents, for instance, your tax prep software will likely guide you to the Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. "You're not going to enter something in wrong and the program's not going to give you the Child Tax Credit.

Persons: Mark Jaeger, Hunt, Jaeger, Ed deHaan, deHaan, de Haan Organizations: Child Tax, Care, American Opportunity, Tax, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Research Locations: TaxAct

☆ These 3 tax rules weren't a big deal last year—now they could cost you thousands, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Some forms that may not have been on your radar last year could drastically raise or lower your bill for tax year 2023, experts say. Here are three tax documents you may have forgotten about last year that could be important this tax season. 1099-INT for savings accountsYou always owed federal income tax on interest from savings accounts. Even if you forgot to report a chunk of your interest income, "the main story is not to panic. For 2023, you may receive a Form 1099-MISC or 1099-B from the financial institution you use to trade crypto.

Persons: Ed deHaan, you've, Mark Jaeger, Jaeger, Matt Metras Organizations: Stanford Graduate School of Business, Federal Reserve, IRS, MDM Financial Services, CNBC Locations: TaxAct

☆ Most Americans can file federal taxes for free — but only about 3% used this option last season
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Established in 2002, the program, known as IRS Free File, is a public-private partnership between the agency and the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of tax software companies. Some 70% of taxpayers — roughly 100 million Americans — are eligible for Free File, according to Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. IRS Free File partners for 2024 season 1040NowDrake (1040.com)ezTaxReturn.comFileYourTaxes.comOn-Line TaxesTaxActTaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA)TaxSlayerIRS Free File is 'not just for simple returns'While complicated filings may need professional guidance, Free File can handle more tax situations than you may expect. Free File partners aren't required to cover all federal income tax forms and schedules. You can also file for an extension through Free File, which moves your filing deadline to Oct. 15.

Persons: there's, Tim Hugo, filers, Danny Werfel, Hugo, 1040Now Drake, There's Organizations: Alliance, IRS

I get my tax documents in early. I've since found a reliable accountant who specializes in working with small business owners and I've leveled up my tax preparation to make tax season even smoother for me and my accountant. I've aligned my processes with my accountant'sMy first tax season working with Danny involved a learning curve and some unavoidable back-and-forth. This year, when I send him my tax documents for his next steps they'll basically be turnkey for him — plug and play. Aligning with Danny's systems makes my review and approval of the completed tax documents he shares with me that much easier as well.

Persons: —, I'd, That's, Danny, He's, I've, Danny's, they'll, I'm Organizations: Service

☆ US lawmakers question tax prep companies on sharing of taxpayer data with Big Tech platforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Americans should be able to file their taxes without fear that their sensitive data will be shared with Big Tech companies,” said the letters, copies of which were obtained by CNN. The letters — led by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren — focus on the use of tracking technology developed by tech platforms and embedded within the tax prep companies’ websites that quietly transferred users’ personal information to Meta and Google, allegedly without their consent. Of the five tax prep companies, Intuit was not a major focus of the initial congressional probe because it did not use tracking pixels to the same extent as the others, the investigation found. They also asked the same question of each of the four other tax prep companies, as well as requesting a commitment to abide by the FTC’s warning not to use customer data in ways consumers did not expressly approve. The lawmakers requested that the tax prep firms respond by Nov. 8.

Persons: ”, Massachusetts Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren —, Warren, Meta, — Sens, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, Katie Porter Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Big Tech, Massachusetts Democratic, Meta, Google, FTC, Intuit, Ramsey Solutions, Oregon Democrat, Connecticut Democrat, Vermont Independent, Rhode, Rhode Island Democrat, House Democratic Locations: Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, California

☆ Tax prep companies shared private taxpayer data with Google and Meta for years, congressional probe finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Some of the tax-prep companies still do not know whether the data they shared continues to be held by the tech platforms, the report said. The Warren aide told CNN it was unclear whether Meta knew it was inappropriately using taxpayer data at the time. The investigation found that all three tax-prep companies had discontinued their use of Meta’s pixel after The Markup’s report last November. “The scope of ‘taxpayer information’ is broad by design,” Rosenthal said, adding that tax-prep companies can be sued for “knowingly” or “recklessly” leaking that information. Depending on the strength of the allegations, the tax-prep companies could quickly be forced into a binding settlement, said a former FTC official who requested anonymity in order to speak more freely.

Persons: “, ”, David Vladeck, Vladeck, Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Meta, Warren, ‘, Sens, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Katie Porter, TIGTA didn’t, Block, TaxSlayer didn’t, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, TurboTax, Steven Rosenthal, ” Rosenthal Organizations: CNN, Meta, Google, Georgetown University, Federal Trade Commission, Democratic, FTC, Internal Revenue Service, Justice Department, Tax Administration, Intuit, IRS, Urban, Brookings Tax Locations: United States, Google’s

☆ Google and Meta got customer data from tax prep firms, and lawmakers want a probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A group of lawmakers led by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren are calling on the Biden administration to investigate how tax prep software companies may have illegally shared customer data with tech platforms Google and Meta . Some statements the tax prep companies provided to the publications at the time seemed to indicate the data sharing was done accidentally. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect." Among their findings released Wednesday, the lawmakers said that millions of taxpayers' information had been shared with Big Tech firms through the tax prep software and that both the tax prep companies and tech firms were "reckless" in how they handled sensitive information. Although Meta and Google both said they have filters to catch sensitive data that's inadvertently collected, they seemed to be "ineffective," the lawmakers wrote.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democratic Sen, Biden, General Merrick Garland, Lina Khan, Daniel Werfel, J, Russell George, TaxAct, Block, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, Katie Porter, Warren, Meta Organizations: Capitol, Massachusetts Democratic, Google, Federal Trade, Tax, Facebook, Meta, CNBC, Big Tech, YouTube, Apple Locations: Washington ,, Sens, D

I requested an extension on my taxes last year, and I put off dealing with my taxes until October. I've gotten another extension this year, but this time it's out of necessity, and I'm going to be careful. I'm requesting a tax extension. Editor's Rating 4.2/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Learn more On TurboTax's website Learn more On TaxAct's website Learn more On FreeTax USA's websiteI kept putting my taxes off — and then it was OctoberThose are my excuses for logging on and begging for another six months. If everything goes according to plan, we'll be back on track in time to handle 2023 taxes on time.

☆ There's another April 18 tax deadline that many forget about, pro says. Here's how to avoid a penalty
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

ozgurcankayaIf you're scrambling to file your taxes, it's easy to miss another key deadline on April 18: the due date for 2023 first-quarter estimated tax payments. Income taxes are pay-as-you-go, meaning you must remit taxes throughout the year. The first estimated tax deadline is April 18, which applies to self-employed or gig economy workers, investors and other filers who expect to owe $1,000 or more in 2023. However, some filers affected by natural disasters have more time for estimated tax payments, such as eligible filers in Alabama, California and Georgia, according to the agency. The late payment penalty is 0.5% of your unpaid balance per month, up to 25%, plus interest.

☆ Here are 3 key things to know before filing your taxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"Now you're seeing this drop-off because you have people who are either less sure because they maybe getting a smaller refund," Jaeger said. Avoid refund delays with a complete, accurate returnOne of the best ways to avoid refund delays is by filing a complete and accurate return, according to the IRS. However, experts say it's critical to have all your tax forms ready before sending your return. Employers and financial institutions send tax forms every year, with a copy going to taxpayers and the IRS. You can make a checklist of the forms you may need by reviewing last year's tax return, experts suggest.

Pros Check mark icon A check mark. Expert help is available with every filing package Check mark icon A check mark. Pay less than H&R Block and TurboTax and get a comparable experience Check mark icon A check mark. Efficient and streamlined interface Check mark icon A check mark. Ability to set up reminders to pay estimated quarterly taxes throughout the year Check mark icon A check mark.

☆ Popular tax prep software sent financial information to Meta, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Popular tax prep software including TaxAct , TaxSlayer and H&R Block sent sensitive financial information to Facebook parent company Meta through its widespread code, known as a pixel, that helps developers track user activity on their sites, an investigation by The Markup found. In a report published with The Verge on Tuesday, the outlet found the software sent information like names, email addresses, income information and refund amounts to Meta. "Advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools," a Meta spokesperson told CNBC in a statement. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect." Meta considers potentially sensitive information to include information about income, loan amounts and debt status.

☆ Emergency savings account startup SecureSave has partnered with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and Truist. See the fintech's 20-slide seed fundraising deck.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Carter Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

SecureSave, a fintech launched in 2020, works with employers to offer emergency savings accounts. The origins of SecureSave — a Kirkland, Washington-based fintech that works with companies to offer emergency savings accounts, or ESAs, to employees — began with a single email to a Seattle-based venture studio and investor. In some ways, emergency savings accounts resemble health savings accounts, through which workers can set aside pre-tax earnings to save for medical care. In the US, health savings accounts have grown over time into a nearly $100 billion industry, by assets under management, according to the HSA industry group Devenir. But according to Miller, employers are recognizing that ESAs can pay for themselves — through employee retention and as a competitive advantage when hiring.

If you own a small business, tax season can get hectic. To find the best online tax software for small business owners, we compared four of the leading online tax preparers — TurboTax, TaxAct, H&R Block, and TaxSlayer — on cost, user experience, and access to experts. How did we choose the best tax software for small businesses? Partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and S-Corporations must file a tax return every year to report income, deductions, profits, and losses for the business. S-Corporations will also need to report income and losses on their personal tax return.

In the years I owe, I find myself grateful for the abundance of the past year as I input each number into my tax filing software. Editor's Rating 4.6/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 3.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Learn more On Tax Slayer's website Learn more On Liberty Tax's website Learn more On H&R Block's websiteTaxAct is an online tax prep company where you can prepare and file your tax return yourself. Simple state tax returns are free at the $99.95 price point, while more complicated state returns cost $44.95 each. Simple state tax returns are free at the $99.95 price point, while more complicated state returns cost $44.95 each. When you first initiate the tax filing process with TaxAct, you will be guided through a series of questions.

But it can make more sense to file separately in a few cases, such as when you have excessive medical expenses. For married couples, choosing to file taxes jointly or separately can have a significant impact on the amount of income tax owed. Still, there are special circumstances where it makes sense to file separately. If you got married on or before December 31, you're considered married for the entire year for tax purposes. Filing separately would allow both spouses to begin deducting qualified medical expenses after they exceed 7.5% of their own AGI.

But the right online tax filing software can help you save time and money. Here are the best tax filing software programs for small business owners, so you can file your taxes before the deadline. Best tax filing software for small business ownersSubscribe to the Select Newsletter! However, you won’t incur a penalty if you don’t owe and instead have a tax refund coming. After reviewing the above features, we sorted our recommendations by best for overall tax filing, runner-up, free tax software, most affordable and best accuracy guarantee.

It's never too early to start thinking about next year's tax bill, and what you could deduct. Contributing to a tax-deferred account allows you to deduct contributions from your income, which will help you reduce your taxable income and save on your tax bill. After the $130,000, the Social Security percentage disappears, and you pay Medicare taxes (2.9%) on your entire income. Read more: 5 changes to expect when you file your tax return this yearOn a $150,000 profit, you will end up paying more than $20,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes in addition to income taxes, noted Amedian. Contribute to a health savings account (HSA)Certified Public Accountant Riley Adams, who also blogs at Young and the Invested, wants to remind taxpayers it's never too late to open a health savings account, or HSA.

Persons: It's, —, it's, whittle, Dave Du Val, You'll, Du Val, Emil Abedian, Read, Max, Megan Gorman, Gorman, Riley Adams Organizations: Service, Internal Revenue Service, EA, Social Security, Social, Corporation, IRS, Financial Management, Worth Tax, Financial, Young Locations: Plenty

Taxpayers can expect to see an increased standard deduction and child tax credit when filing their tax return, while other deductions have been eliminated or capped. Most taxpayers can file their tax return online using services like TurboTax, H&R Block, Liberty Tax, and TaxAct. That means that the law's changes will hit your wallet when you file your tax return before Tax Day on April 15, 2019. Let's take a look at some of the biggest changes you can expect on your tax return when you file this year. A bigger Child Tax CreditIn 2017, the Child Tax Credit was $1,000 per child.

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